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International Women’s Day

Today is the day that we celebrate women. On International Women’s Day, we recognize the power and greatness of women. If every woman in the world went on strike this day, we wonder what would actually happen. Would the world stop? We think it would—though we will find out very soon when A Day Without A Woman kicks off as America wakes.

Today is the day that we celebrate women. On International Women’s Day, we recognize the power and greatness of women. If every woman in the world went on strike this day, we wonder what would actually happen. Would the world stop? We think it would—though we will find out very soon when A Day Without A Woman kicks off as America wakes.

As a continuation of the Women’s March that took place in January, A Day Without A Woman calls for women to go on strike. It reminds us of the scenario in Atlas Shrugged when all the capable men went on the strike and the world stopped. Today, even though it’s just for a day, we expect that there will be severe disruptions and, for 24 hours, the economic might that the female population holds will be felt.

That we are still protesting for equal rights for women is a testament to what has become of late. As a woman protesting in Washington a few months ago said, “Why I am still protesting this shit?” It’s likely she was protesting for women’s rights in the ’60s and ’70s when women’s rights were significantly fewer than those of men. Today, as we reflect on the progress we have made, in light of what more we need to do in order to achieve full equality, we first consider that the “leader of the free world” has referred to women as objects, has used derogatory terms to describe them, and has recently rescinded a law that allows transgender students access to bathrooms and locker rooms matching their gender identity. It is an absurdity.

Across the rest of the world, there are still blatant abuses of human rights against women and discrimination that continues to occur in 2017 that evoke the Middle Ages: laws and practices that are defended by tradition or the proclamation of god. That we have allowed this to happen right beneath our noses is an affront to us all. But now there are movements around the world that are confronting and righting these wrongs so that women who have been subjected to various abuses can find refuge and build new lives grounded in greater equality.

The era of ignorance and inactivity must now give way to one of solidarity and activity in support of women’s movements around the world. The disturbing and inexcusable policies and statements have caused women of the world to unite: they have created unity amongst people who might not have been connected before. The marches around the world this January have illuminated this united front. Sadly, here in Thailand, we could not march, as the right to gather and protest is strictly forbidden under Section 44. It is said that this is for our own good: that we must be protected from ourselves and from inciting violence towards our fellow countrymen and women. So there was no women’s march in Thailand this past January, but today, while there will be many woman going on strike around the world, should you wish to show your support, wearing red is another option to express your solidarity.

There is still a way to go before women have equal rights around the world. So, on this day, we think about the women in history, in fiction, and in the world today who inspire us: women who are wives and daughters, mothers and sisters. On this day, we therefore also celebrate all the women in our lives and believe that, together, the world is a better place because of us. Indeed, while A Day Without a Woman could be considered an unhappy day, we are here and we rejoice: Happy Women’s Day!